Along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, sits the tiny timber and fishing industry driven county known as Franklin County, Florida. With a population of approximately 11,549 residents and a beautiful, scenic landscape that houses majestic beaches, walkable state parks, rolling rivers and enchanting islands, Franklin County has developed quite the reputation for drawing in a number of tourists to the area. The widely popular St. George Island is one of many landmarks here in the Panhandle that brings a great deal of foot and motor vehicle traffic to Franklin County. If you have been cited for speeding near St. George Island, Dog Island, St. Vincent Island, Apalachicola National Forest, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, Crooked River Lite, Fort Gadsen or any other heavily trafficked area within the region, chances are you were cited by one of the following law enforcement agencies:

St. George Police Department

Apalachicola Police Department

Eastpointe Police Department

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Florida Highway Patrol

In the year 2003 alone, more than 4 million traffic tickets were issued to drivers by the state of Florida. If you are one of the millions of drivers who have been cited for speeding in Franklin County, it is advisable to contact a Franklin County speeding ticket lawyer as soon as you possibly can.

What To Do About A Speeding Ticket Citation in Franklin County

With so many law enforcement agencies patrolling the roads and so many local traffic laws to abide by, understanding your rights as a driver can be a bit overwhelming. A speeding ticket attorney in Apalachicola or Carrabelle City can answer any questions you may have pertaining to your speeding charge. The first step you should take in order to alleviate yourself of the charge and of the possible consequences that coincide with the charge is to plead not guilty to the Clerk of the Court. This plea should be submitted in writing no more than 30 days after the receipt of a citation. The Franklin County Clerk of the Court can be reached at33 Market Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320. Hearings regarding speeding citations are also held at that address.

Once you have submitted your plea of not guilty to the Clerk of the Court it is important to write down any traffic, road or weather conditions you can recall as this information can help your Apalachicola speeding ticket attorney aid you in building the best possible defense against your charge. Once your courtroom defense has been devised, you have the option of attending court with this legal representative by your side or choosing to appoint the speeding ticket attorney in Franklin County to attend court in your place.

Penalties for Speeding in Franklin County

Fines for speeding in Franklin County begin on the low-end at just $76 for driving 6 to 9 mph and attending a court approved traffic school. These fines increase dramatically depending upon the speed the driver is accused of accelerating to and the location where the citation was received. Typically, drivers who are cited for speeding in a school/construction zone can expect to see a fine of double or more when compared to the average ticket price.

Simply paying a speeding fine will not clear you of the charge; in fact, any payments made on speeding fines are accepted by the state of Florida under the grounds that the driver is admitting they are guilty of a Franklin County crime. Like any other crime, a guilty verdict can mar the reputation of the defendant for an extended period of time. With traffic violations, it is the driver’s license that receives this mark in the form of points. Drivers found guilty of traveling at speeds of 16 mph or less above the legal limit can expect to see three points added to their driving record. Drivers found guilty of traveling at speeds of 16 mph or more above the legal limit will usually have their driving records marked with four points.

A speeding ticket attorney in Franklin County can further explain the way the point system works and how it can affect your future and driving privileges. Driving records are often reviewed by all of the following:

Law Enforcement

Current Employers

Potential Future Employers

Insurance Agencies

At their discretion, insurance agencies can raise premiums by as much as four times the amount of an average driver if they view a driver’s record and deem that driver a high risk client. Current and/or future employers often consider driving records a way of determining the level of responsibility of a current or possible future employee. Failure to obtain a speeding ticket attorney in Franklin County in a timely manner could lead to:

License Suspension

Job Loss

Loss of Wages

Higher Insurance Premiums

If you fear your license and/or reputation is in danger as a result of a Franklin County speeding citation, it is best to consult with a speeding ticket lawyer in Franklin County as soon as possible. An Apalachicola or Carrabelle City speeding ticket attorney can help by providing you with the necessary information to fight back against the charge.